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pugnacious Definition

pug·na·cious (pug nās̸həs)

adjective

eager and ready to fight; quarrelsome; combative

Etymology: < L pugnax, combative < pugnare, to fight (< IE base *peuĝ-, to punch > Gr pygmē, fist, L pungere, to pierce) + -ous

pugnacious Related Forms
pug·na·ciously adverb pug·nac·ity (-nasə tē) noun or pug·na·cious·ness
pugnacious Synonyms

pugnacious

modif.

belligerent, defiant, antagonistic, combative; see quarrelsome 1, rebellious 2, 3. See syn. study at belligerent.

pugnacious Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • style: Rich Blake has expressed interest in the position of Tacklemaster next year and I feel his pugnacious style would suit the job.
  • church: Brayne would pour supplies into the impoverished and pugnacious Church of France; he would support six Nationalist newspapers like The Guillotine.
  • character: Renowned for their pugnacious character the support were ' wee bullies ' and hence the Bully Wee.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: The Chairman: You seem rather pugnacious and will be fined 80s. , including costs.
  • typically: In typically pugnacious style he reprimanded the senators for failing to contact him and inform him of the charges before the report was released.

Browse dictionary entries near pugnacious

  1. Puglia
  2. pugilist
  3. pugilism
  4. puggree
  5. Puget Sound
  6. pug nose
  7. pug
  8. puffy
  9. puffing
  10. puffin
  1. puisne
  2. puissant
  3. puke
  4. pukka
  5. pul
  6. pula
  7. Pulaski
  8. pulchritude
  9. pule
  10. puli